Obituary: Helen Talesnick Fichman, 99
Helen Talesnick Fichman, formerly of Indianapolis, died in Atlanta on Tuesday, April 7, 2015.
She was born Sept. 8, 1915, in Lafayette, Ind., and lived in Indianapolis until the age of 89, when she moved to Atlanta. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Rose (Galerman) and Louis Talesnick, a beloved brother, Irvin Talesnick and her very beloved husband, Dr. Philip Julius Fichman.
Mrs. Fichman was a graduate of Shortridge High School. As a teenager she was Queen Esther of the JEA Purim Ball circa 1932. Mrs. Fichman graduated from Indiana University with a master’s degree in social work. She worked for the Red Cross after a flood in southern Indiana and then for several years at Jewish Family Services and at the former Bornstein Home. One of her most meaningful experiences was when she was responsible for the transit and settlement of all German Jewish youths who arrived in Indianapolis circa 1938-39 for the Indianapolis Jewish Welfare Society.
After her children were grown she worked for the Jewish Federation of Indianapolis and then at Ayres Glendale. During the years she was raising her daughters, Mrs. Fichman devoted many hours to volunteer work. She was a member of the National Council of Jewish Women, Hooverwood Guild, the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation and Hadassah. She served several terms on the board of the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, led several campaigns for the Jewish Federation of Indianapolis, and served in many positions with Hadassah, including president of the Indianapolis Chapter and on the regional board. One of her most cherished times with Hadassah was when she helped launch the Haima (the mothers) Group, from which came many future Hadassah leaders. She always referred to them as her girls and maintained relationships with some of them until she moved to Atlanta.
Mrs. Fichman is survived by her dear brother, Stanley Talesnick; daughter and son-in-law Nancy and Arthur Shorr; daughter Lynne Savage; grandchildren Ross and Jody Daniels, Rachel Daniels, Robert Daniels, Benjamin and Laura Savage, and Rose (Savage) and Alan Gross. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, who brought joy and pleasure in her later years: Michael and Andrew Daniels, Hannah and Danielle Gross, and Jacob Philip Savage. Additional survivors are nieces and nephews Jill Talesnick Wilkins, Jane Talesnick, Kay Talesnick Gilmore, Alan Talesnick and Steven Talesnick, with whom she shared a special bond. Her daughter Lynne and granddaughter Rose extend their thanks and gratitude to Mrs. Fichman’s dedicated caretakers for the last several years. Freddie Newel, Christine Cash and Sheila Jackson, and to the dedicated staff at Huntcliff Summit, especially her dear friends Charity and Deborah.
Sign the online guestbook at www.jewishfuneralcare.com. Funeral services were held April 12 at Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Mortuary with interment at the Kelly Street Cemetery, Indianapolis. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Louis & Rose Talesnick Immigrant Education Fund c/o Indianapolis Jewish Federation or the Indianapolis Chapter of Hadassah. There will be a memorial service at Huntcliff Summit in Atlanta at a date to be announced. Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.
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